Hours

Student Research Projects

Electrical and Olfactory Perception of the Stingray

Abstract

There have been several studies conducted investigating the use of electroreception in elasmobranchs, particularly concerning prey capture. However, research involving the comparison of multiple senses is lacking. The behavioral responses of the yellow-spotted stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis, to odor and electrical stimuli were compared using a variety of food sources. The stingray’s response time was recorded during four sets of trials using live prey (both odor and electric), dead prey (odor only), electrodes (electric only), and dead prey combined with electrodes (odor and electric). When response times are compared between the odor and electrode trials, the stingray exhibited a stronger response towards the odor. If the trials using both the odor and electrical stimuli are included, the stingray reacted more strongly when it could utilize both senses. From these data, it appears that the animal is capable of using either stimulus for prey finding behavior; however, further research needs to be conducted on multiple specimens to determine statistically if one stimulus is preferential over the other. There is potential for this research to have practical applications, as humans and elasmobranchs often interact, especially regarding fisheries (to attract or repel certain species) and animal husbandry in aquarium settings.

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Virginia Wesleyan University is Coastal Virginia's premier university of the liberal arts and sciences. Situated on a 300-acre park-like campus in Virginia Beach, the University annually enrolls approximately 1,500 students in undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Social Work with 35 majors, 30 minors, and seven pre-professional programs. Graduate degrees include a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Education (2018). Students thrive in average class sizes of 13 and through the University's experiential learning, high-impact leadership, and career-development programs. More than 90 percent of Wesleyan’s new graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year. The state-of-the-art Greer Environmental Sciences Center, Chesapeake Bay Academy, Tidewater Collegiate Academy, and other outstanding facilities and programs serve a vibrant campus community and regional partners in education. In accordance with its United Methodist heritage, the University aspires to be a supportive community that is committed to social responsibility, ethical conduct, higher learning and religious freedom.